Action for Happiness campaign launched today

Action for Happiness, is a new charity aiming to help create a happier society - by enabling people to make positive changes in their personal lives, homes, workplaces and communities.

Ten keys to happier living:

Giving - Do things for others
Relating - Connect with people
Exercising - Take care of your body
Appreciating - Notice the world around
Trying Out -  Keep learning new things

Direction - Have goals to look forward to
Resilience - Find ways to bounce back
Emotion -  Take a positive approach
Acceptance - Be comfortable with who you are
Meaning - Be part of something bigger

The first five relate to how we interact with the outside world in our daily activities. The second five come more from inside us and depend on our attitude to life.

http://www.actionforhappiness.org/

What do you think of this campaign? Do you think it's a good idea, and that it will help to create a happier society?

World Kindness Day

Today is World Kindness Day



"When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world." - Harold Kushner

Spread kindness today - and everyday.

The IoS Happy List 2009 :100 people who make Britain a better & a happier place to live

One hundred people who make Britain a better, more caring and contented nation are named today in The Independent on Sunday Happy List, 2009. The IoS Happy List 2009 - the 100 I think it's quite an interesting list with many worthy names. I agree with these names in particular: Sir David Attenborough - he always presents information in a very quiet and dignified way. Camila Batmanghelidjh - I've read lots of articles about this amazing woman. She is truly inspiring. Shami Chakrabarti - she is an important civil liberties campaigner who is always worth listening to. And she is charming as well as very intelligent. Danny Boyle - a very talented movie director who is obviouly well-liked as well as respected in the acting community. His happiness is contagious. Simon King - he's such a quiet and thoughtful man who comes across as very sweet and charming on Springwatch and Autumnwatch. Ray Mears - I like his enthusiasm about the outdoors and how to live in the wild. Jacqueline Wilson - I've always been impressed by how she treats the young fans of her books with such kindness and respect. I would add physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox. He has the perfect television personality for explaining science and making it exciting. And his enthusiasm about science and his happiness are contagious. What do you think of the list? Is there someone you would add?

Britain: 13th in survey of personal well-being in Europe

Britain has been ranked 13th in a survey of personal well-being in Europe that found Denmark, Switzerland and Austria the nicest places to live. Measure smiles, not just GDP: British 'among least happy in Europe' Tired, suspicious, bored and lonely: the British fare poorly in a new, detailed study which ranks European countries according to a sense of national contentment. Britain comes third from the bottom in western Europe in the National Accounts of Wellbeing report, published today. (link via guardian.co.uk) National Accounts of Well-being The personal well-being headline indicator measures people’s sense of how they are feeling within themselves and experiencing their lives. It is a combination of five component indicators which measure: emotional well-being; the extent to which people have a satisfying life; vitality; resilience and self-esteem; and positive functioning. I do think British society is becoming more and more negative generally, especially in regards to opinions and attitudes about young people. That would certainly affect people's self-esteem and sense of purpose. What are your thoughts about the results of the survey?

Feeling down? You must watch this video!

If you are feeling down, you must watch this inspiring video about Nick Vujicic. Nick faces incredible obstacles every day of his life but he loves living life and he is happy: Nick Vujicic is a truly inspirational man!

Do the happy dance with Matt

Dance with Matt Harding on his global journey: You can't help but smile and feel happy when you watch Matt as he dances his happy dance!